Allegations of fraud rock Ghana's National Service Scheme

The allegations center on the discovery of thousands of fake student index numbers assigned to non-existent students who were then supposedly enrolled for national service. These fraudulent enrollments appear to originate from several tertiary institutions, including the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), the University of Cape Coast (UCC), and the University of Development Studies (UDS), among others. The reported numbers of “ghost personnel”—individuals listed as serving but who did not—are alarming, with significant discrepancies between figures presented to Parliament and those publicly announced by the NSS.

The evidence suggests a sophisticated scheme designed to inflate the number of personnel deployed annually by creating and using fake student IDs and index numbers. This alleged deception may have been ongoing for years, potentially involving widespread corruption and collusion among multiple institutions. The discrepancies between publicly announced figures and those presented to Parliament are staggering, reportedly exceeding 40% in some instances.

The case of Mahamudu Ali, a man allegedly 80 years old at the time of his supposed national service in 2022, exemplifies the scale of the alleged problem. His NSS record reportedly shows his age, raising serious questions about the scheme’s vetting processes and oversight. Similar cases involving individuals far beyond the typical service age have also been reported.

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The implications of these allegations are far-reaching. They not only threaten the credibility of the NSS but also raise concerns about the allocation of public funds and the potential for broader systemic corruption. The findings have been submitted to the Special Prosecutor for investigation, and the outcome of this investigation will determine whether these allegations are substantiated.

This situation demands a thorough and transparent investigation to determine the extent of any wrongdoing, identify those responsible, and implement robust measures to prevent future occurrences. The public deserves to know the truth about how this alleged manipulation occurred and what steps will be taken to restore faith in the national service system. Failure to address these serious allegations will severely damage the integrity of Ghana’s public institutions and erode public trust.

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